Page 74 of Cruel Secrets

“We don’t have time for you to process this.” My tone is sharper than intended, but I can’t deal with her and Bianca melting down right now.

If we’re going to get across the border and to the house, I need to be able to focus on driving and whether or not more cars are appearing behind us. Coddling Gia isn’t an option.

But when I see the expression on her face, I almost consider stopping the car just so I can pull her into my arms and offer every ounce of comfort I can.

“Nobody has a real plan,” Gia says, her voice rising before she glances in the mirror at Bianca again. “How am I supposed to relax when there hasn’t been a plan in place since the beginning?”

My hands tighten on the wheel. “There’s always been a plan.”

“Doesn’t seem like it from where I’m sitting. It seems more like you decided to kidnap me, and since then, it’s been nothing but getting caught and being on the run and never being able to just take a breather.”

“I’m sorry if war is inconvenient for your schedule.” Sarcasm drips from my tone. Groaning, I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. “I don’t want to sit here and fight with you about this right now. We can fight all you want when we get to the house, but at this current moment, the two of us need to be a team.”

“A team?” She stares out the window, the look in her eyes haunted. “We’re not a damn team. You spend time pushing me around.”

My hand hits the dash. “For fuck’s sake, Gia! Stop! Just stop!”

“Why? Because you told me to?”

“Because if you don’t, I’m going to shove you out of this fucking car and you can deal with your brother on your own.”

Gia glares at me, fire burning into the side of my face with the heat of it. “That’s your fucking solution? If I push too much, you’re just going to throw me out of the car?”

I slam on the brakes, bracing as the car comes to a screeching halt. Her seat belt locks as she moves in her seat, her head hitting the window. “I’m going to make this perfectly clear. I may care for you, but if it comes down to protecting you or Bianca, the choice is going to be her. Every. Single. Time. So either you shut the fuck up or you run for your life. Your choice.”

Her mouth pinches before she nods, shoulders slumping. “I’m sorry. I’m just scared, and I have no clue what’s going to happen, but I do know that you’re not going to let anything happen to us.”

“Good. I’m sorry too. I’ve never been the most patient person.” I glance in the mirror again as lights start to flash behind us. “There’s a burner phone under the seat of the car. Pull it out and power it on, please.”

Gia does as I ask, handing me the phone once it’s ready.

I dial Skyla’s number, and the call connects on the first ring. “Why are your lights flashing? Is there someone behind you?”

“No,” she says, her voice tight. “There’s something wrong with the car and I think I see smoke.”

“Pull over. I’ll stop and get you and we’ll keep going together.” I end the call and hand the phone back to Gia. “Send Kat another message so she knows this is the phone she’s going to be contacting you on.”

“Why does your sister keep a burner phone?” Gia types out a message before putting the phone in the cupholder.

Behind us, Skyla positions her car across the two-lane road, blocking any cars that might be coming from behind us.

I throw the car into reverse. “She’s never been one to stay in places for too long. Gotten better as she’s gotten older, but she likes to be ready to leave somewhere without a trace at a moment’s notice.”

Gia makes a noise in the back of her throat. “I guess that makes sense.”

The back door opens as soon as the car stops, and Skyla gets in beside the car seat.

As soon as she’s in and the door is shut, I slam my foot down on the accelerator, turning off the headlights and heading into the night.

Skyla looks between the two of us, her head popping between the seats. “The two of you are tense. Did I miss something?”

Gia shrugs. “I’m not used to life on the run.”

Grinning, Skyla clamps a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll get used to it.”

While the two of them talk, I keep one eye on the road ahead of us and one on the road behind us.

If someone is tailing us, I don’t want to be surprised.

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